Who Shouldn't Take Fish Oil Supplements

Evidence shows that there are a lot of heath advantages that come from
taking fish oil supplements (The Benefits of Fish Oil Supplements).
However, with many supplements there is a portion of the population
that shouldn't take it. These people should be very cautious when
looking to consume fish oil. They should always talk to their doctor
before adding fish oil supplements to their daily lifestyle (though it
should be noted that it is highly recommended for all persons to talk
to their doctor before starting any supplement). For some, fish oil's disadvantages highly out weight the advantages.

Allergies. There
are some people who are either allergic or have a sensitivity to fish.
They can have a wide range of reactions including stomach upset, hives,
and even aliphatic shock. These people shouldn't consume fish oil
supplements because they are indeed made from fish and it is likely
that their sensitivity will continue and include the supplement
themselves.

Low Blood Pressure. The next group of
people who should never consume fish oil are those with low blood
pressure. One of the side effects of fish oil supplements is lowering
of the blood pressure. For many this side effect can be an advantage
(some even a huge advantage), however if you already have low blood
pressure then fish oil supplements can drop it below safe levels and
even cause major problems. If you have low blood pressure avoid taking
a fish oil supplement.

Blood Pressure Medications.Those
who are on blood pressure medications also shouldn't take fish oil
supplements. These supplements could react with your medication, but
even more likely is that the blood pressure medications and the fish
oil supplements can cause your blood pressure to become too low. If you
are interested in trying fish oil supplements as a treatment for your
blood pressure then you should discuss the option with your doctor.
Never just stop taking blood pressure medication. This can cause heart
attacks, arrhythmia's, and other serious issues. You should also never
switch from blood pressure medication to the supplement without talking
to your doctor and making a plan for better health.

High Cholesterol. Fish oil supplements can raise your Lipoproteins
(bad cholesterol). This can be very undesirable for those with high
cholesterol. Therefore fish oil supplements aren't recommended very
often for those who have high cholesterol. There is some evidence that
it also raises your good cholesterol levels, which means that it might
be something that works well for you, but shouldn't be a decision you
make on your own. If you are wanting to take the supplement discuss the
advantages and disadvantages with your doctor.

Diabetics. The
research for diabetics is rather confusing. Some studies suggest that
fish oil supplements can increase blood sugar levels in those that
struggle to maintain their blood sugar in the normal range. Other
research suggests that these levels balance out after a short period of
time using the fish oil supplements. Often times sites that are trying
to sell fish oil supplements recommend that diabetics take it for
various advantages, however this can be dangerous. It is a good idea
that diabetics talk with their doctors before making any decisions
about fish oil supplements.

Children. Many people
think that it is a great idea to give their children fish oil
supplements, after all it has a lot of health benefits that you can get
your children hooked up to early. However, the real problem is that
dosing fish oil supplements (and many other supplements) isn't easy to
do. This is especially complicated for a young child and low weights.
You could easily give your child too much fish oil causing negative
side effects on accident.

Additionally,
while research suggests that the heavy metal toxins in the fish are
removed during the process to obtain the oil, there is still some risk.
For the average adult this isn't a problem and the low levels of toxins
don't cause a danger. However, for children there is a danger and a
larger chance that you can cause illness and heavy metal poisoning from
fish oil supplements.

Many sites suggest giving your children
fish oil supplements for the health advantages. However, it can be
dangerous and should never be done without the assistance of your
child's doctor.

Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women. Many people highly recommend that pregnant women and breastfeeding
women consume fish oil supplements. After all, the Omega 3's these
supplements provide are good for brain development and it would seem
that the perfect time to get them to your child would be while you are
pregnant and breastfeeding.
However, the danger of heavy metal toxins that can be a problem for
children can also be a problem while you are pregnant and or breastfeeding.
Therefore, if you are looking at using the supplement for helping the
brain development of your child you should talk to your doctor and your
baby's doctor before you begin.

Abnormal Heart Rhythms. Some
research shows that those with abnormal heart rhythms could benefit
from fish oil supplements, however other research suggests that it
could cause additional problems and could even lead to cardiac arrest.
Therefore it is best if those with abnormal heart rhythms simply avoid
fish oil supplements.

Medications. No matter what
type of medication you are on you should always talk to your doctor
before beginning any supplement or alternative medicine. It can be
dangerous to mix pharmaceuticals
with supplements and other natural treatments. Even the safest of
herbal remedies can cause issues with medication. Be safe and make sure
you can mix your medications with your supplements and herbal
treatments.

Generally Regarded As Safe. The
National Institute of Health has released a statement that says low
doses of fish oil supplements are "generally regarded as safe". With
this statement comes no definition of "low doses" nor does the
statement "generally regarded as safe" make it something that everyone
should do. Instead of believing that "everyone will benefit from taking
fish oil" you should be careful if you fall into one of these groups.

While
fish oil supplements have a lot of benefits, they really aren't for
everyone. It is a good idea to do your research, talk to your doctor,
and make your decision as one that is truly informed. It is a good idea
to avoid websites that are geared toward selling you fish oil
supplements since this can be a profitable business option and many
people will tell you anything to get you to buy their product. You
should also avoid blog posts that have links to sites where you can buy
it. Instead stick with medical websites, articles (such as this one)
that share both the good sides and the bad, and your doctor for
information. Yes, fish oil supplements can be wonderful, but they can
also be bad for certain portions of the population.

Comments

Follow IB Health

I love writing and providing high quality content. I hope you found this piece valuable and will check out some of the other things I have written. You can visit my blog aidenofthetower for lots more information about my writing, what I am up to and all the things I am doing around the net!